We have completed maintenance on DiscoverMagazine.com and action may be required on your account. Learn More

Drilling Deep: How Far Have We Gone Under Earth's Crust?

Numerous operations have set out to dig miles deep into the Earth's crust. None of them have penetrated below the outer crust, leaving many mysteries hidden within the mantle and deeper layers of our planet.

By Tree Meinch
Jun 23, 2023 6:00 PM
Deep well holle
(Credit: Elena_Nik/Shutterstock)

Newsletter

Sign up for our email newsletter for the latest science news
 

When Jules Verne published Journey to the Center of the Earth in 1864, multiple unsubstantiated hollow Earth theories were alive and well, speculating about what might exist deep beneath our feet.

That’s because, by many measures, we know less about Earth’s interior than we know about outer space. Still, we can confidently say it is dense and made up of multiple compact layers that humans have failed to reach, despite multiple attempts.

Various operations have set out to drill the deepest hole on Earth. Even after penetrating through many miles of our planet’s outer crust, none of them have reached the mantle or the other layers buried beneath it.

But they’ve dug up some valuable samples and findings.

A Basic Understanding of Earth’s Layers

0 free articles left
Want More? Get unlimited access for as low as $1.99/month

Already a subscriber?

Register or Log In

0 free articlesSubscribe
Discover Magazine Logo
Want more?

Keep reading for as low as $1.99!

Subscribe

Already a subscriber?

Register or Log In

Stay Curious

Sign up for our weekly newsletter and unlock one more article for free.

 

View our Privacy Policy


Want more?
Keep reading for as low as $1.99!


Log In or Register

Already a subscriber?
Find my Subscription

More From Discover
Recommendations From Our Store
Shop Now
Stay Curious
Join
Our List

Sign up for our weekly science updates.

 
Subscribe
To The Magazine

Save up to 40% off the cover price when you subscribe to Discover magazine.

Copyright © 2024 Kalmbach Media Co.